Preliminary Tasks Evaluation
Preliminary Task 1 : Camera Skills Development
This task was set up in order for us to be able to familiarise ourselves with the equipment and to develop our camera skills. We were given a list of shots to complete which comprised of distance and angle shots where we had to learn the different camera techniques:
· Long shot
· Establishing Shot
· Medium Shots
· Close up
· Angle of shot
· View point
· Point of view shot
· Two shot
· Selective Focus
· Soft Focus
· Wide angle shot
· Tilted shot
Along with distance and angles we also became familiar with camera and lens movement, where we were able to create pan left and right, track out and in, crab left and right, zoom in and out, ped up and down and tilt up and down shots.
After familiarising ourselves with these techniques we were then given a list of shots we had to film such as ‘Extreme Long shot of the Blorenge’ and ‘Long Shot of three characters on the field’, this task gave us an idea of how much work and technique is involved within camera work. After completing the shots we then were given a sheet which had the shots we had shot in a specific order. This meant we had to edit our footage in a certain way, as this was the first time we had used the editing suite enabling us to get used to the software before our main production task. At the end of this first preliminary task it gave us an idea of how much work is involved within the production stages of making a film.
Preliminary Task 2 : The Conversation
The second of our preliminary tasks was a conversation between two people, this task was designed to make us realise how much planning and shots were needed to create an effective scene that flowed well.
Preliminary Task 3: Jeepers Creepers Reconstruction
This task where we had to recreate a scene from ‘Jeepers Creepers’ was extremely valuable to our skill building, we firstly watched the scene we were going to attempt to recreate, counting the number of shots needed and planning out what type of shots we needed. It made us consider mise en scene, camera shots and angles and also the timing of scenes. This was much harder than I first though as to make the scene fluid everything had to be very accurate especially when it came to the editing stages.
Preliminary Task 4: What Lies Beneath Reconstruction
For this task as a group we had to select a genre of film that we were all familiar with, and we decided on ‘Horror’. We then had to decide together a scene from a horror film which we could re create by memory baring in mind the resources and technology we had available to us we had to think about what scenes we could recreate which were realistic to our time limit. The scene had to be ten to twenty shots in length and we were to use a storyboard to plan the shots. We decided to reconstruct the scene in ‘What Lies Beneath’. During this task we had to organise ourselves and work as part of a team, we had to consider relevant shots and angles needed to create the scene effectively. Mise en scene was especially important , we wanted to make our version as similar to the real version as possible, we decided to shoot the scene in one of the members of our groups bathroom, setting up the area before hand and making sure we had blocked out one of the windows so we could get the right lighting for our scene. Before shooting we had already allocated roles for each member of the group so that when it came down to the shooting stage we were able to get on with it efficiently.
The setting we had chosen was a large bathroom similar to the real version, this enabled us to use the camera freely, being able to create different shots and angles with the camera as we weren’t restricted to space. As we had changed the lighting in the room prior to filming it gave a more eerey effect to the scene which added to effect of the scene. We used the clapper board in almost all of our shots so that when it cam down to the editing stage it would make it easier for us to differentiate between different takes of shots. We couldn’t use the clapper board on one shot as it was really difficult to place the camera in position and the board couldn’t be seen in the shot. The shots used in the scene were to create effect, using a low angle shot of the male character to emphasise his power and high shots of the female actress to emphasise her vulnerability. High angle shots were also used to establish mise en scene and showed the two characters actions clearly. We also used a mirror shot which gave the illusion of a point of view shot of the female character. Costumes during the scene were quite straight forward; the female actress wore a dressing gown like the original extract. A problem in which we did not consider in the planning stage which stopped us from creating an even better version was the health and safety factors with water in the bath.
During the editing stage we removed clapper boards and cut down clips, we had to put the clips into sequence and make sure they flowed correctly. We did experience a problem with continuity of the scene as we discovered during the editing process we did not have a shot of the male character leaving the room but we did have one of him entering the room. During the editing stage we watched the original version again so we could make sure our footage was relevant and in the correct order.
During this process I was responsible for holding the clapper board at the start of every scene ensuring the shots and takes were correctly names, I also helped with the filming and also the editing stage. Throughout the task I also gave opinions and advice to others in the group as to what I thought worked well.
Evaluation Of Task.
I think all in all our finished verison was a success when comparing it to the original. In my opinion the first two shots were the most effective, being edited together well, starting with a low angle shot of the male carrying the female which then cut to a high angle of the two. I feel the value behind trying to recreate a scene from an existing film is that you learn and build from it. I feel we picked a hard scene and if I had the chance to do a task like this again I would have chosen a more straight forward one, making sure I took into consideration health and safety issues. We could have improved our version by planning and thinking out the shots more as we lost continuity. We also could have improved the sound, I think if these areas had been concentrated on a lot more then we would of had a much more effective scene.
G324 Advanced Media Production
As part of my A level Media course I have been asked to create a promotion set for a new film. The set being made up of a teaser trailer, a front cover of a film magazine and a poster of the film for advertising purposes.
As well as producing the products I will record research and planning stages. I will evaluate my products in depth too, stating how my media products use develop and challenge forms and conventions of real media products and how effective the combination of my main task and ancillary tasks work together. Along with getting audience response on my main task which will help me evaluate my product further.
Before I can start to construct my final production I will need to carry out preliminary tasks so that I can familiarise myself with equipment, techniques and software so when it comes down to my final product I will have all the necessary knowledge to carry complete it to the best of my ability.
